The purpose of this guide is to assist you, the veteran, or your
survivor(s), in presenting your claim for benefits based on exposure
to psychologically traumatic events during military service that
has resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is always
best to seek the assistance of an experienced veterans service
representative when presenting a claim to the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA).

This guide describes the VA's current programs for providing disability
compensation to veterans who suffer from PTSD, as well as for the
survivors of such veterans. Under current VA regulations, you can
be paid compensation for PTSD if you currently have a clear medical
diagnosis of the disorder, evidence that a sufficiently traumatic
event (called a “stressor”) occurred during active
military service and medical evidence that the in-service stressor
is causally related to your PTSD. Once the VA determines that your
PTSD is service-connected, it will then decide how seriously your
symptoms impair your social and industrial abilities (i.e., your
capacity to start and maintain personal relationships and your
ability to work).

This guide does not address treatment techniques, but does provide
suggestions for obtaining the appropriate care. Additional resources
are available to help you to better understand what other VA programs
may be available to you.

PTSD is not a new problem. It is simply a more recent label for
an age-old disorder that has been in existence since stone-age
warriors were beating each other with clubs. Around 1980,
the American Psychiatric Association designated PTSD to describe
a delayed-stress syndrome commonly experienced by combat-veterans. This
condition had previously been referred to as “shell-shock” and “war/combat
neurosis”. Although PTSD is often associated with Vietnam
veterans, it appears in veterans of all wars and eras.

There have been many changes in the VA's rules involving PTSD
since 1980 and some additional changes are expected soon as a result
of new understanding about PTSD. Recent decisions by the U.S. Court
of Appeals for Veterans Claims have also forced changes in how
the VA processes PTSD claims. It is important to keep up
with these changes by accessing the VVA website (www.vva.org),
as well as the VA’s website (www.va.gov) for the latest information. You
can also contact a VVA service representative in your area to answer
any questions that you might have about PTSD or the claims adjudication
process in general (www.vva.org, click on “Veterans Benefits”,
then on “Service Representatives” and select your state
of residence).

We have included in this guide a short description of what to
do if the VA denies your claim or establishes an unjust rating
percentage for your disability.

Segments of this guide may be excerpted or reproduced for counseling,
self-help, and scholarly purposes, but not for profit, without
further permission; we request only that proper credit be given.
Any other use requires written authorization of VVA, ATTN: Director,
Veterans Benefits Program, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Suite 400, Silver
Spring, MD. 20910. E-mail us at veteransbenefits@vva.org